Budh - Mercury (EMERALD)

Mercury in Vedic astrology is known as BUDHA, the awakened discriminating intellect and the part of us that knows. Mercury is benefice if associated with benefice grahas, and malefic is associated with malefic grahas. He is known as grahapati, or lord of the planets.

Mercury rules over two signs of the sidereal zodiac, Gemini and Virgo. He is exalted in Virgo at 15 degrees, and in his fall in the opposite sign of Pisces. Where the Moon is the innocent mind, Mercury is the intellect that discriminates between benefic and malefic ideas, or good and evil.

The intellect is neutral and becomes whatever it is associated with. Mercury is learned in behavior. Mercury is a karaka or indicator of intelligence, commerce, education, communication writing, books, humor, scholars, thieves and astrologers. Vedic sage Parasara describes him; "Mercury is endowed with an attractive physique and the capacity to use words with many meanings. He is fond of jokes..."

Mercury reaches full maturity at age 32. In Vedic myth Mercury is born of the Moon. One myth recounts how the Moon, overcome with lust, abducts Tara, the wife of Brihaspati, or Jupiter. Out of their union Budha, or Mercury is born. Thus the intellect is born of the mind.

There is a relationship of enmity between the Moon and Mercury that belies a deep truth. The Moon is innocent in its observation, while Mercury is evaluative and discriminating in its observation.

BUDHA or MERCURY is considered as the greatest among the wise. This Devata bestows wisdom and wealth etc. on his devotees. He removes evil thoughts from their minds. He is the chief among GNANIS (realized souls). He is considered Vishnu Rupi, because of his beauty and resemblance. A prayer to Him, especially on Wednesdays brings in manifold benefits like removal of all obstacles, helps one to get a progeny, possession of fertile lands etc.

In the Zodiac this Devata is the Lord of Mithuna and Kanya. He stays like the Sun, one month in each Rasi completes the cycle in 12 months, more or less closely in the footsteps of the Sun.

Mercury's favorite placement is rising in the 1st House. His nature is VATA, or Airy. His gem is Emerald and his metal is all form of alloys. His direction is north and his ruling day is Wednesday.BUDHA AS SEEN IN TEMPLES Mercury tells what sort of mind you have, where your decisions are felt, and the type of decisions you make. It shows where your main interests are, where you voice your opinions, your thoughts. The type of writing you do, how you speak, how you listen, all come under Mercury's influence.

Mercury rules communications and transportation. Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo and will continue to do so until a new planet is discovered to take it's place in one of those signs (probably Virgo). Mercury therefore has all the characteristics of both these signs and their Solar houses, the 3rd and 6th, so that it rules both communications and services.

Mercury is mail, papers, agreements, books, bookkeeping, letters, the telephone, secretarial duties, mechanical objects such as the computer, adding machine and typewriters. Mercury operates as an agent for you. With Mercury in Aries you write short, quick notes if you write at all, (Aries is usually too busy and can't find the time). In Cancer you write all the family news or perhaps political news. In Scorpio you may write all the lurid details of the most recent love affair or perhaps an intense letter on psychic experiences. A Sagittarian Mercury would more than likely write long, chatty letters.

Mercury is a neutral planet that changes according to its placement in signs and houses. It is the nearest planet to Sun and thus is restless, fast changing and fickle in nature. It rules education, writers, businessman, intestines, lungs and nervous system. Both Jupiter and Mercury represent human intelligence, Mercury indicates an immature side of intelligence as compared to the more mature one of Jupiter. It rules all means of communication and intermediation. Body parts indicated by Mercury: Mercury rules over the arms, ear hearing system, and the nervous system. It is a dual natured planet and owns the dual natured signs, Virgo and Gemini.

About Planets

The Indian Astrology distinguishes the destiny and traits of an individual that are associated with the positions of the planets and the date, time and place of birth. The Indian astrology considers the movement of two luminaries namely the Sun and the Moon, five major planets (Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Venus and Jupiter) and the two nodal points of the Moon i.e Rahu and Ketu.

Mercury

Mercury is a neutral planet that changes according to its placement in signs and houses. It is the nearest planet to Sun and thus is restless, fast changing and fickle in nature. It rules education, writers, businessman, intestines, lungs and nervous system. Both Jupiter and Mercury represent human intelligence, Mercury indicates an immature side of intelligence as compared to the more mature one of Jupiter. It rules all means of communication and intermediation. Body parts indicated by Mercury: Mercury rules over the arms, ear hearing system, and the nervous system. It is a dual natured planet and owns the dual natured signs, Virgo and Gemini